India's tail holds up England after spinners dominate day two

It is all well and good having captain that moves the field and does this and that but if the bowlers don't deliver it doesn't matter.

When I was captain there in 2016 we bowl four or five good balls but always let off pressure with one bad ball. Spinners for the last two or three years for England have had that trait.

Today was best I have seen England spinners bowl for a long time. They didn't do that.

As a batter when you know a bad ball is coming you can sit and wait. Bashir and Hartley, I can only remember four or five balls that were a bit of a pie.

To do that over whole period, for guys who we keep mentioning their age and that they are at the beginning learning their trade, was incredibly impressive.

SMS Message: Wife has just come home from an outing with our son (20 months). Her comment - 'loads of dog walkers out today!' from Dave, Guildford

Wife has just come home from an outing with our son (20 months). Her comment - 'loads of dog walkers out today!'

Excellent! We look forward to the tales of 4am dog walks tomorrow as England look to take the last three wickets...

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

England were really disciplined. They never let India get away. They stopped Jaiswal scoring freely and as soon as the wicket started playing up the momentum shifted again.

England batter Joe Root on TNT Sports: "We have had a good couple days. There is certainly stuff to build on in the rest of the Test match."

On his century and the patient style: "That's [to play the conditions] how I try to play every game - play the conditions and the situation of the game. It was very obvious what was needed in that situation and surfaces. Thankfully it paid off."

On the pitch: "It looks like it will keep getting worse. If we can get three early wickets hopefully that puts us in a really strong position."

On whether he considered scooping to reach his century on day one: "It did briefly cross my mind. On that wicket it is not a great option. It was nice to contribute this week. It has been a lean series for me."

On Shoaib Bashir: "He was brilliant. He is a great young lad to have in the group. I didn't know much about him before the series but he has got great character, sense of humour and a huge amount of ability and skill. It was great to see him keep coming time and again today. He should take a lot of confidence for the rest of this game and going forward as well."

This is another incredible series that the England team are involved in. They certainly are the team to watch in Test cricket.

England started the day 302-7, and after the first hour or so were bowled out for 353, with Joe Root left unbeaten on 122.

We thought they might have left a bit out there, but a brilliant bowling performance sees them end day two firmly in control.

Shoaib Bashir was the star with four wickets from a whopping 32-over spell, while Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for India again with 73.

Fantastic day's play. England have been very, very professional and smart. The captain has set clever fields and that has been backed up by the spinners.

It ends with a maiden.

That ends another gripping day, and England find themselves in a very, very good position.

India trail by 134.

Tom Hartley to bowl the last over of the day.

I think we'll have to wait for tomorrow's dog walk at this point.

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Where's James gone? We need him again. Or are we keeping him just for Jaiswal.

It can’t be often where an overseas spinner has bowled 31 overs on the trot In India on day two. It's a remarkable effort from Bashir.

A tidy over, just the one run from it.

Two overs to go.

You've got your wish, Michael...

Just wonder whether it’s worth Joe Root the golden arm to bowl one over before the close.

There's something so fun about watching a bowler who proper rates himself with the bat.

Kuldeep Yadav is solid in defence against Anderson and holds the pose with the swish of the bat, Steve Smith-esque, to finish the job.

Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma are in stitches of laughter in the changing room.

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Anyone know where I can get a puppy or two at short notice in Swansea? Remember though folks: "A dog is for life, not just for cricket".

He may be getting a bit tired, though, as he fires one down the leg side and past Ben Foakes for a couple of byes.

Hardly surprising, as I doubt he'll have bowled many spells as long as this in his career so far.

Oh, wait. Shoaib Bashir is having over number 31!